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Overview

祭りの概要

There are four Kagura (Shinto music and dance performances) performed in Miyazaki prefecture: Yakagura, Takachiho-kagura, Shiiba-kagura, and Mera-kagura. One of the Mera-kagura is performed in the Shiromi Jinja Festival. This Kagura, which shows the traditional culture of hunting people and the elements of Shugendo (mountain asceticism), was designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property in 1977.

Kagura is performed during the annual festival from December 12th. Altogether, 33 kagura are performed, and the first kagura, “Hoshi-no-Mai (Star Dance),” is dedicated on the 13th. This performance is a ritual, in accordance with the philosophy of the ancient Chinese constellation, to prompt the descent of Shinto god. Overnight, from the evening of the 14th through to noon of the 15th, kagura 2 to 31 are performed. It finishes with kagura No.32 “Shishitogiri” in which you can see the traditional culture of hunting peoples in the Kyogen style, followed by No.33 “Kami-okuri,” to see off Shinto god who has descended. Nowadays, both kagura can only be seen in Shiromi-kagura.

The characteristics of this type of Kagura deeply reflect the traditional hunting culture of the mountain area. You will see the particular examples of it in the head of the wild boar dedicated as an offering to gods, or in the performance of Kagura No.32 “Shishitogoiri.” Kagura No.8 “Nishinomiya Daimyojin” is one of the most prestigious in this Kagura. People believe that when you cast money offerings during the performance and if they fall into the crown of a costume, something good will happen to you. This is the climax of the festival as well as the dynamic Kagura No.10 “Shukujin Sanpo Kojin (one of the Buddhist beliefs).”

宮崎県で行われる夜神楽、高千穂神楽・椎葉（しいば）神楽・米良（めら）神楽のうちの米良神楽のひとつ。狩猟民族の伝統文化と修験道の要素を持つ神楽として、1977年国の無形重要民俗文化財に指定された。

例年12月12日からの例大祭の中で行われ、全部で３３番の神楽があり、13日に１番「星の舞」が奉納される。これは古代中国の星宿思想に則る神事で、神の降臨を促す。14日の夜から15日昼までは、夜を徹して２番から３１番の神楽を舞う。そして、現在では銀鏡神楽でしか見られない、狩猟民俗の伝統を伝える３２番の狂言風の神楽「シシトギリ」、３３番の降臨した神を送る「神送り」で終わる。

この神楽の特徴は、山間部の伝統的な狩猟文化を色濃く反映したところにあり、神への供物としてイノシシの生首の奉納する所や神楽３２番の「シシトギリ」にその特徴がみられる。８番の「西宮大明神（にしのみやだいみょうじん）」はこの神楽の中でもっとも格式の高い神で、この舞の間に賽銭を投げ、装束の宝冠に入ると良いことがあると言われている。これに豪快な面を持つ１０番の「宿神三宝荒神（しゅくじんさんぽうこうじん）」も合わせて、祭りのクライマックスとなっている。

Map & 360 degree view

地図 & 360度動画・写真

Video

動画